Description: Some long duration astronauts have had diminished visual acuity during and after spaceflight. Serious visual impairment is not only problematic for an individual astronaut, but may be mission threatening for a long-duration crew. The mechanism(s) causing this problem remain largely unknown. The current working model is that it may be related to changes in intracranial pressure (ICP) due to fluid shifts in zero gravity. The primary objective of this project is to directly measure intracranial pressure, cerebral hemodynamics, and visual apparatus structure during changes in hydrostatic gradients (parabolic flight) that mimic microgravity exposure. Only a careful dissection of the pathophysiology will allow the development of effective countermeasures that could ultimately lead to reducing the risk of visual impairment during space flight.
Published results (January 18, 2017): Effect of gravity and microgravity on intracranial pressure
NSBRI award (2011)
Cancer patients helping UTSW scientists and NASA study pressure inside the brain during zero gravity
Ongoing ISS research
NSBRI page

Benefits: This instrument will benefit future NASA and terrestrial medical research operations by providing a non-invasive mean of measuring increased intracranial pressure, a parameter that has a direct impact on visual changes and symptoms experienced by long duration ISS crewmembers.